Reference: The Pain Podcast LE PUB Scientifique by Tim Beams & Bart Van Buchem
People in pain naturally desire a solution; whether it’s medication, manipulation, massage, stretching, lotions, or a machine that promises immediate and lasting relief.
Can you blame anyone for wishing for a “quick fix”? Absolutely not. While a relatively quick fix may be possible in some acute cases, it’s highly unlikely in cases of chronic pain.
Too often, surgery is viewed as a quick fix, but what many don’t realize is that even when surgery is necessary, it’s rarely a quick solution—extensive rehab is still required for recovery.
The challenge I face with patients who have endured years of failed treatments and still want their pain “fixed” is that it often reinforces an External Locus of Control (ELOC). Research consistently shows that an ELOC is linked to poorer outcomes, whereas an Internal Locus of Control (ILOC) is associated with better recovery.
As physiotherapists, our goal must be to strengthen our patients’ ILOC, as a strong ELOC is one of the biggest predictors of delayed recovery.
So how can you as a PT promote patients to have an ELOC? Well, that is the whole focus of The Pain Truth Program.